Tag Archives: Diversity

The Women’s March on Washington aims to send a message to all levels of government, including but not limited to the incoming Presidential administration, that we stand together in solidarity and we expect elected leaders to act to protect the rights of women, their families and their communities.

Before showing the article for what to bring – I’m sharing this article that I found about what not to bring and what is banned from the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. – January 21, 2017. Then right below that will be a great article about things to bring and preparing for the Women’s March event – including snacks and really good walking shoes.

The U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Capital Police and other agencies are collaborating on security efforts for the inauguration. The following items have been banned from public events during inauguration week:

Aerosols

Weapons of any kind, including ammunition, explosives, firearms, mace and pepper spray

Animals other than helper/guide dogs

Backpacks and bags larger than 18 inches-by-13 inches-by-7 inches.

Bicycles

Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems

Balloons

Toy guns

Coolers and glass, thermal or metal containers

Laser pointers

Selfie Sticks, and other sticks and poles

Packages

Structures

Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Only cardboard, poster board or cloth signs will be permitted, and all signs must be less than 3 feet in width, 20 feet in length and one-quarter inch in thickness. Sticks and poles are prohibited; do not attach them as supports to any signs you bring.

Due to Security Considerations – D.C. Area Law Enforcement has enacted the Following Policy for the Women’s March on Washington

Please note all bags may be subject to search.

Backpacks are not permitted.

Bags should be no larger than 8”x6”x4”.

Specifically for people who would like to bring meals, each marcher is permitted one additional 12”x12”x6” plastic or gallon bag.

For marchers who have medical needs or for mothers who need baby bags or breast pumps, one clear bag or backpack no larger than 17″x12″x6″ will be permitted and subject to search (colored transparent bags are not permitted).

If you are a member of the press, covering the event officially, and have equipment that will not fit into bags of the above dimensions: please contact the National Communications Team to get press credentials in advance in order for your equipment to be allowed into the rally site.

If you require disability accommodations or related equipment, that will not fit into the above bags, please enter via the ADA Accessible route: 4th St. SW from C St. to Independence Ave. For anyone using Metro, please get off at Federal Center SW and use 4th St. to enter the rally area.

Canes, walking sticks, walkers, and portable seats are allowed for individuals who require them for mobility and accessibility on a regular basis.

7. Breastfeeding mothers

If you’re breastfeeding or have other medical needs, you are allowed to bring an additional clear bag or backpack no larger than 17 by 12 by 6 inches, but no colored transparent bags are permitted. There will be breastfeeding stations along the root, and the FAQ page will be updated this week with information about where they will be.

8. Children

As to kids, it’s your choice as to whether to bring them, but they are welcome. There is a Facebook page for parents who plan to attend the march with kids, which is a good resource for coordination.

9. Volunteering

If you want to roll up your sleeves and volunteer, head over to this Google Doc to sign up.

Everything You Need to Know for the Women’s March on Washington

Start Time for the Women’s March – 10 am.

The main site organizing the event for the Women’s March on DC – says the start time is 10 am. and although it isn’t required to register, nor to have tickets to the event, they are asking people to register to have a better understanding of the numbers of people coming to the Women’s March.

March organizers said in a mission statement posted to their website that participants will unite to end violence and promote rights for women, LGBT people, workers, people of color, people with disabilities and immigrants.

“The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us,” the site says.

This is an INCLUSIVE march, is FREE to join and EVERYONE who supports women’s rights are welcome.

PLEASE SHARE, we need to spread the word everywhere!
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OFFICIAL STATEMENT, National Organizers

On January 21, 2017 we will unite in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families — recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us–women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.

After Trump won the presidency, a retired attorney in Hawaii posted to Facebook about marching in Washington, The Washington Post reported. By the time Teresa Shook went to sleep, 40 women said they wanted to march. By the time she woke up, that number had ballooned to 10,000, the Post reported.

The idea for the march took off, and Shook and the initial organizers handed the reins to a group of experienced activists: Bob Bland, a fashion industry entrepreneur; Tamika Mallory, an organizer and gun-control advocate; Carmen Perez, executive director of the Gathering for Justice, a criminal-justice-reform group; and Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York.

The march, the organizers declared via an ambitious platform released last week, is for gender equality, racial equality, LGBTQIA equality, economic justice and reproductive freedom; for equal pay, paid family leave, labor protections, clean water and air and access to public lands; and for an end to violence against women, police brutality and racial profiling. If that seems like a lot, well, that’s the point.

Sarsour, who serves as executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, tells Rolling Stone that the message the marchers want to send is that “from climate justice to racial justice to immigrant rights, reproductive rights, Native rights, we are united. We are committing to work together.

“We think that that hasn’t happened in a very clear way in a long time – bringing all the movements together and … saying, ‘We are watching you. We are ready. We are fired up. And we’re ready to fight back and protect our communities,'” she says.

What to do if you encounter counter-protesters at the Women’s March on Washington

Be prepared for trolls of the highest order at the Women’s March this weekend

1. Counter-protesters are not a possibility, but a definite entity

There will be counter-protesters whose goal is to goad you into confrontation and violence. So if you’re marching this weekend, coming across counter-demonstrators is not so much an “if” as a “when.” Be on the lookout.

GO READ THE REST OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS – REALLY AMAZING and absolutely do-able.

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Will the National team have march etiquette information on the National site?
There will be specific safety information posted on the National site related to children’s areas, medical stations, etc. Resources for safety, march etiquette, and peaceful demonstrations can be found through other sources, such as ACLU or googling peaceful demonstrations, rights at demonstrations, etc. Most important – stay positive during the March. We are unified and making sure our voices are heard for the concerns closest to our hearts!

Remember: Only sign up for information through the official site of the Women’s March, and be sure to download the app to have access to the latest information at all times. Familiarize yourself with the FAQ and only give your information via this questionnaire, which was created by march organizers. Remain alert — and stand up for women’s rights everywhere.

What about cell phone service interruption from so much use in one area?

This is a known issue and risk of a large march. Suggest to use Firechat app. This app is fueled by bluetooth technology. You do not need cell phone service or wifi to use. The more phones on bluetooth, the strong the signal. You can use this a form of communication to direct message your group or bus captains.

FireChat is an individual and group texting app that works on your phone yet doesn’t need phone data to function. You only need your wifi (even if it says there’s no wifi, keep it on) and Bluetooth turned on, and it uses that to create a mesh network, not a cellular network. FireChat doesn’t need cell service- full stop. It has been used successfully in disasters and protests around the world. The app has private messages and you can make public chatrooms- think of them like Twitter hashtags. It works on iPhone and Android and is free. You don’t need to use your real name to sign up, people don’t see your phone number when they interact with you- they just see the image you choose and your user name. You can make a private group so all the organizers can communicate privately and quickly.

1. Download the app to your phone or tablet. Add something to your username to emphasize that it’s your official account.

2. Encourage people to sign up.

3. Make a private group message for all your organizers or for your travelling group

WATCH: Democracy Now! Broadcasts Live from the D.C. Women’s March

SPECIAL BROADCASTJANUARY 21, 2017

On Saturday, January 21, Democracy Now! will bring you a special live broadcast from near the Women’s March main stage area. Tune in from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. ET. This special coverage will include speakers and performers from the stage and interviews with people from around the world who are attending the march and rallies in D.C., as well as reports from other actions around the country.

Use the hashtag #DNlive to join the conversation on Twitter.

How to Watch

Stream this coverage live on this page on Saturday, January 21 starting at 10 a.m. ET.